Bulldogs fall in conference championship game

Westminster College downed the Bulldogs 76-68 in the championship game of the Frontier Conference men's playoffs. The Bulldogs now travel to Kansas City, Mo. for the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship March 17-23. By Wally Feldt
The Bulldogs lost a 68-76 battle against Westminster College in the championship game of the Frontier Conference men's playoffs.
The Bulldogs' defense in the first half kept the usually potent Westminster offense in check and held the Griffins to a chilly 35 percent from the field. Montana Western led at the half-time break 30-24.
The Bulldogs maintained their lead through the first seven minutes of the second half before two game-changing Westminster runs. The first was a 13-5 run that gave the Griffins a 53-52 lead. The Bulldogs regained the lead on their next possession but it was short-lived and erased by a 10-3 Westminster run that put the game out of reach for the Bulldogs.
For the third consecutive playoff game, Brandon Brown led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points. Also scoring in double figures were Brandon Lawson and Terry Hauser with 11 points each, and Garrett Fink and JaRon Brown with 10 points each.
The Bulldogs now travel to Kansas City, Mo. for the 2010 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship March 17-23.
The bracket and the Bulldogs' first round opponent will be announced Wednesday, March 10 at 3 p.m. in a bracket party in the Swysgood Technology Center's Great Room.